Photobiomodulation therapy systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Photobiomodulation therapy systems provide a highly effective way to treat many common ailments to the human body. Many embodiments described herein enable two or more light therapy devices to be communicatively coupled together in various ways. In some embodiments, the light therapy system includes a first light device and a second light device arranged and configured to be communicatively coupled to the first light device. Each of the light devices may include a housing, a communication module, and a plurality of lights arranged and configured to emit at least one of red light and near infrared light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/598,033; filed Oct. 10, 2019; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/616,028; filed Jun. 7, 2017; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,828,505 on Nov. 10, 2020; and entitled THERAPEUTIC LIGHT SOURCE AND HANGING APPARATUS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US18/18288; filed Mar. 1, 2018; and entitled THERAPEUTIC LIGHT SOURCE AND MOUNTING APPARATUS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/167,385; filed Oct. 22, 2018; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,033,752 on Jun. 15, 2021; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/227,289; filed Dec. 20, 2018; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,478,635 on Nov. 19, 2019; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/584,784; filed Sep. 26, 2019; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,639,495 on May 5, 2020; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

BACKGROUND Field

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to photobiomodulation therapy systems and methods.

Description of Related Art

Photobiomodulation therapy (or light therapy) is a therapeutic technique that uses low-level wavelengths of light to improve health and treat a variety of health conditions, including skin issues, such as wrinkles, scars, and persistent wounds, among many other conditions. Similar to how plants use sunlight to heal and grow, humans and animals are able to harness these wavelengths of light and turn them into cellular energy. This treatment stimulates the body's natural healing processes.

Currently, there are a number of photobiomodulation therapy devices available on the market. However, many of these devices are too small and require multiple sessions to treat large areas. As a result, there is a need for a photobiomodulation therapy system that can treat several areas in fewer treatments.

SUMMARY

This disclosure includes a variety of communicatively coupled light therapy systems. In some embodiments, the light therapy system includes a first light therapy device comprising a first housing, a first plurality of lights arranged and configured to emit at least one of red light and near infrared light, and a first communication module communicatively coupled to the first plurality of lights. Some embodiments may also include a second light therapy device configured to be communicatively coupled to the first light therapy device. The second light therapy device may have a second housing, a second plurality of light arranged and configured to emit at least one of red light and near infrared light, and a second communication module communicatively coupled to the second plurality of lights.

The first communication module and the second communication module may be communicatively coupled via a wireless connection such as a Bluetooth connection. Alternatively, some embodiments may be communicatively coupled via a wired connection. In some embodiments, the first light therapy device further comprises a first plurality of communication ports coupled to the first housing and communicatively coupled to the first communication module. Similarly, the second light therapy device may also further comprise a second plurality of communication ports coupled to the second housing and communicatively coupled to the second communication module. The first light therapy device and the second light therapy device may me communicatively coupled via a wired connection from the first plurality of communication ports to the second plurality of communication ports.

The first light therapy device and the second light therapy device may each be configured to operate in one of a lead mode and a follow mode. When the first light therapy device operates in the lead mode and the second light therapy device operates in the follow mode, the second light device may perform operations as instructed by the first light therapy device.

In some embodiments, the first light therapy device and the second light therapy device may each be configured to operate in a neutral mode. For example, when the second light therapy device operates in the neutral mode the second light therapy device may operate independently of the first light therapy device.

To control the light therapy device, some embodiments may further comprise a first plurality of input buttons coupled to the first housing and communicatively coupled to the first communication module. Accordingly, the system may further include a second plurality of input buttons coupled to the second housing and communicatively coupled to the second communication module. The first plurality of input buttons may be arranged and configured to control a treatment time of the first light therapy device, cause light to be emitted from at least a portion of the first plurality of lights, and cause light not to be emitted from at least a portion of the first plurality of lights. Likewise, the second plurality of input buttons may be arranged and configured to control a treatment time of the second light therapy device, cause light to be emitted from at least a portion of the second plurality of lights, and cause light not to be emitted from at least a portion of the second plurality of lights.

In some embodiments, the first plurality of input buttons may comprise a first time button, a first play/pause button, and a first mode button. Similarly, the second plurality of input buttons may comprise a second time button, a second play/pause button, and a second mode button.

In some embodiments, a first press of the first time button may increase the treatment time of the first light therapy device by a predetermined amount of time. Similarly, a first press of the second time button may increase the treatment time of the second light therapy device by the predetermined amount of time. A first press of the first play/pause button may cause at least a portion of the first plurality of lights to emit light and a second press of the first play/pause button may cause at least a portion of the first plurality of lights to not emit light. Likewise, a first press of the second play/pause button may cause at least a portion of the second plurality of lights to emit light and a second press of the second play/pause button may cause at least a portion of the second plurality of lights to not emit light.

Even still, in some embodiments, a first press of the first mode button may cause at least a portion of red lights of the first plurality of lights to emit red light and at least a portion of near infrared lights of the first plurality of lights to not emit near infrared light. Furthermore, a second press of the first mode button may cause at least a portion of red lights of the first plurality of lights to not emit red light and at least a portion of near infrared lights of the first plurality of lights to emit near infrared light. Similarly, a first press of the second mode button may cause at least a portion of red lights of the second plurality of lights to emit red light and at least a portion of near infrared lights of the second plurality of lights to not emit near infrared light. Furthermore, a second press of the second mode button may cause at least a portion of red lights of the second plurality of lights to not emit red light and at least a portion of near infrared lights of the second plurality of lights to emit near infrared light.

To indicate which lights will be used during treatment, some embodiments of the system may further comprise a first pair of indication lights that may be coupled to the first housing and communicatively coupled to the first plurality of input buttons. In some embodiments, the first pair of indication lights may be arranged and configured to indicate whether a portion of red lights of the first plurality of lights is emitting red light and whether a portion of near infrared lights of the first plurality of lights is emitting near infrared light. Similarly, in some embodiments, the system further includes a second pair of indication lights coupled to the second housing and communicatively coupled to the second plurality of input buttons. The second pair of indication lights may be arranged and configured to indicate whether a portion of red lights of the second plurality of lights is emitting red light and whether a portion of near infrared lights of the second plurality of lights is emitting near infrared light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the invention. In the drawings, like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a light therapy system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a light therapy system communicatively coupled wirelessly, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of a light therapy system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 a illustrates a back view of a light therapy device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 b illustrates a back view of a light therapy system communicatively coupled via a wired connection.

FIG. 5 illustrates a back view of a light therapy system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top left perspective view of a light therapy system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6B illustrates a zoomed in view of a control panel, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart for operating the time button, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart for operating the play/pause button, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart for operating the mode button, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. For example, in any system or device disclosed herein, the acts or operations of the system or device may be performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding certain embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. Additionally, the structures, methods, and/or procedures described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components.

For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein.

INDEX OF COMPONENTS

-   10—Light therapy system -   12—Light therapy device -   14—Housing -   16—Plurality of lights -   24—Communication module -   26—Plurality of communication ports -   28—Communication Cable -   70—Lead mode -   80—Follow mode -   90—Neutral mode -   92—Power switch -   100—Control panel -   110—Plurality of buttons -   112—Time button -   114—Play/pause button -   116—Mode button -   120—Pair of indication lights

INTRODUCTION

Light therapy provides an alternative option for treating many common ailments and diseases. For example, when the human body is exposed to red light, blue light, green light, and/or near infrared light, subjects can expect to see improvement in multiple skin conditions, weight loss, muscle recovery, sexual performance, joint pain, and thyroid function. Instead of using prescription medications to solve these many problems, light therapy can be used in place of these traditional remedies to achieve safe and effective results.

Many top professionals have adopted light therapy, but oftentimes the light therapy devices and systems used are not big enough to treat an entire body at once. Accordingly, many embodiments described herein enable two or more light therapy devices to be communicatively coupled together to form a light therapy system. In doing so, the area of treatment can be expanded to reduce the time and number of treatments to achieve the desired results.

System Embodiments

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a light therapy system 10 having a first light therapy device 12 a and a second light therapy device 12 b. In some embodiments, the first light therapy device 12 a may have a first housing 14 a, a first plurality of lights 16 a, and a first communication module 24 a. The first plurality of lights 16 a may be mechanically coupled to the first housing 14 a. In some embodiments, the first plurality of lights 16 a may be red lights, near infrared lights, or some combination of red lights and near infrared lights. The first communication module 24 a may be communicatively coupled to the first plurality of lights 16 a such that the first plurality of lights 16 a may receive instructions and thereby operate in a specific manner.

Furthermore, FIG. 1 also shows the light therapy system 10 having a second light therapy device 12 b, which is communicatively coupled to the first light therapy device 12 a. Similar to the first light therapy device 12 a, the second light therapy device 12 b may include a second housing 14 b, a second plurality of lights 16 b, and a second communication module 24 b. The second plurality of lights 16 b may be mechanically coupled to the second housing 14 b. In some embodiments, the second plurality of lights 16 b may be red lights, near infrared lights, or some combination of red lights and near infrared lights. The second communication module 24 b may be communicatively coupled to the second plurality of lights 16 b such that the second plurality of lights 16 b may also receive instructions.

In many embodiments, the light therapy devices 12 are communicatively coupled to each other. In this regard, the first therapy device 12 a may be communicatively coupled to the second light therapy device 12 b whereby either of the devices 12 is able to control the other respective device 12. Such functionality may allow one or more light devices 12 to act as one cohesive system to more effectively provide treatment for a patient.

Because multiple light therapy devices 12 may be communicatively coupled together, this may allow for the light therapy system 10 to be located in one location or various remote locations. For example, in some embodiments, a light therapy system 10 a may comprise two or more light therapy devices communicatively coupled together and physically located within close proximity of each other, such as in the same treatment room. However, in some embodiments, a light therapy system 10 b may comprise two or more light therapy devices communicatively coupled together but the two or more light therapy devices are physically located remotely with respect to each other, such as in different cities. Communicatively coupling remotely located light therapy devices 12 may be effective for a variety of scenarios, such as a clinician who is remotely located with respect to a patient and thereby wants to render treatment for the patient. The clinician may communicatively couple a light therapy device 12, or a remote computing device (e.g. a smartphone), located in the clinician's office to one or more light therapy devices 12 located nearby the patient. The clinician may thereby treat the patient, even though the clinician and patient are physically located in remote locations with respect to the other.

To achieve the communicative coupling, the devices 12 may be communicatively coupled via communication modules 24. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a light therapy system 10 including a first light therapy device 12 a having a first communication module 24 a, a second light therapy device 12 b having a second communication module 24 b, a third light therapy device 12 c having a third communication module 24 c, and a fourth light therapy device 12 d having a fourth communication module 24 d. FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a light therapy system 10 in which there are multiple light therapy devices 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, and 12 d that are communicatively coupled wirelessly. In this embodiment, a user is standing in the middle of the light therapy system 10 to treat the entire body with light therapy simultaneously. The light therapy devices 12 may be communicatively coupled wirelessly by any suitable communication protocol, such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, BLE, Z-Wave, near-field communication (NFC), cellular network protocols (3G, 4G, 5G), Wi-Fi, and the like. The person of ordinary skill in the art may select a protocol that suits the needs and physical locations of the light therapy devices 12 being communicatively coupled together.

While FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate 2 or 4 light therapy devices in communication with each other; it should be appreciated that any number of light therapy devices may be communicatively coupled together. For example, in some embodiments, the light therapy system includes 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more devices communicatively coupled together. Generally, any number of devices may be communicatively coupled using any respective communication protocol.

Furthermore, the light therapy system 10 may also include other devices, such as remote computing devices (e.g. smartphone, tablet, computer, and the like), located remotely with respect to the light devices 12. In this regard, a plurality of light devices 12 may be communicatively coupled to one another, and the plurality of light devices 12 may further be communicatively coupled to a remote computing device operated by a third party. For example, a third party clinician or technician may communicatively couple their remote computing device to the light therapy system 10 to remotely communicate with the system 10. This may assist clinicians in providing treatment to patients, technicians in troubleshooting problems with the light therapy system, and the like.

Light therapy devices 12 may also be communicatively coupled via a wired connection. To communicatively couple light therapy devices 12 via a wired connection, some embodiments feature a plurality of communication ports 26 which may be located on the housing 14. In some embodiments, at least one port of the plurality of communication ports 26 may be configured to send signal from the first light therapy device 12 a to the second light therapy device 12 b. Similarly, at least one port of the plurality of communication ports 26 may be configured to receive signal from another light therapy device 12. In some embodiments, a communication cable 28 may be inserted into the pluralities of communication ports 26 to communicatively couple the light therapy devices 12.

As shown in FIG. 4 b , which illustrates the backside of a light therapy system 10, a plurality of light therapy devices 12 may be communicatively coupled together using communication cables 28 to thereby form the system 10. Communicatively coupling the light therapy devices 12 in this way allows the light therapy devices 12 to be controlled by one set of instructions. As shown in FIG. 4 a , each light therapy device 12 may comprise a plurality of communication ports 26 used to communicatively couple more than one device 12 together via wires. As shown in FIG. 4 b , a first light therapy device 12 a is communicatively coupled to the second light therapy device 12 b by a first communication cable 28 a, which is inserted into the first plurality of communication ports 26 a and the second plurality of communication ports 26 b. In a similar fashion, the second light therapy device 12 b may be communicatively coupled to a third light therapy device 12 c by inserting a second communication cable 28 b into the second plurality of communication ports 26 b and the third plurality of communication ports 26 c. A fourth light therapy device 12 d may be communicatively coupled to the light therapy system 10 by inserting a third communication cable 28 c into the third plurality of communication ports 26 c and the fourth plurality of communication ports 26 d. Similarly, a fifth light therapy device 12 e may be communicatively coupled to the light therapy system 10 by inserting a fourth communication cable 28 d into the fourth plurality of communication ports 26 d and the fifth plurality of communication ports 26 e. Finally, a sixth light therapy device 12 f may be communicatively coupled to the light therapy system 10 by inserting a fifth communication cable 28 e into the fifth plurality of communication ports 26 e and a sixth plurality of communication ports 26 f. Communicatively coupling the light therapy devices 12 in this way enables the entire light therapy system 10 to be controlled one set of input commands.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 b has six light therapy devices 12 communicatively coupled via communication cables 28. In some embodiments, there may only be two light therapy devices 12. In other embodiments, there may be more than six light therapy devices 12 communicatively coupled via a wired or a wireless connection. Additionally, the light therapy devices 12 may be communicatively coupled in series or in parallel. The light therapy system 10 of FIG. 4 b is communicatively coupled in series. Alternatively, the first light therapy device 12 a may communicatively couple to the second light therapy device 12 b and the third light therapy device 12 c directly. For example, the first communication cable 28 a may be inserted into the first plurality of communication ports 26 a and the second plurality of communications ports 26 b. Similarly, the second communication cable 28 b may also be inserted into the first plurality of communication ports 26 a and the third plurality of communication ports 26 c. This pattern may continue for as many light therapy devices 12 as necessary, or the light therapy devices 12 may be communicatively coupled in any combination of series and parallel wired connections.

To ensure that the light therapy devices 12 operate in the same way, some embodiments feature a lead mode 70 and a follow mode 80. A light therapy device 12 that is configured to be in the lead mode 70 may send operation instructions to all other light therapy devices 12 in the system 10. A light therapy device 12 that is configured to be in the follow mode 80 may receive operation instructions from a light therapy device 12 that is in the lead mode 70.

FIG. 5 illustrates a light therapy system 10 with a first light therapy device 12 a having a power switch 92, a lead mode 70, a follow mode 80, and a neutral mode 90. A user may thereby select the desired mode by switching a three-way toggle switch between lead mode 70, follow mode 80, and neutral mode 90. In some embodiments, a light therapy system 10 may comprise a first light therapy device 12 a configured to be in the lead mode 70, while all other light therapy devices 12 are in the follow mode 80. Configuring the light therapy system 10 in this way may force the light therapy devices 12 to operate in the same way. In some embodiments, there may be more than one light therapy device 12 in the lead mode 70. For example, a light therapy system 10 may comprise six light therapy devices 12, whereby two light therapy devices 12 are in the lead mode and four light therapy devices 12 are in the follow mode. In such embodiments, either of the two light therapy devices 12 in the lead mode may control the other four light devices 12 in the follow mode. It should be appreciated that any number of light therapy devices may be in the follow mode 80.

A light therapy device 12 configured to be in neutral mode 90 may operate on its own and may ignore instructions sent from a light therapy device 12 in the lead mode 70. In this manner, the light therapy device(s) 12 in the neutral mode may ignore incoming signals. In some embodiments, there may be none, one, or more than one light therapy device 12 in the lead mode 70, none, one, or more than one light therapy device 12 in the follow mode 80, and none, one, or more than one light therapy device 12 in neutral mode 90. Any combination of light therapy devices 12 configured in the lead mode 70, the follow mode 80, and the neutral mode 90 may be used to achieve any combination of treatment types.

As shown in FIG. 6 a , in order to control the first light therapy device 12 a, some embodiments feature a first control panel 100 a located on the first housing 14 a and communicatively coupled to the first communication module 24 a. The first control panel 100 a may allow a user to control a treatment time and cause at least a portion of the first plurality of lights 16 a to either emit or not emit red light or near infrared light. Similarly, the second light therapy device 12 b may have a second control panel 100 b located on the second housing 14 b and communicatively coupled to the second communication module 24 b. The second control panel 100 b may implement the same controls as the first control panel 100 a.

FIG. 6 a shows one embodiment of a light therapy system 10 with a first light therapy device 12 a featuring a control panel 100. FIG. 6 b shows a similar embodiment zoomed in to the control panel 100 having a plurality of input buttons 110, a time button 112, a play/pause button 114, a mode button 116, and a pair of indication lights 120. FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 show a flow chart of what each button may do when pressed.

In some embodiments, the plurality of input buttons 110 may have a time button 112 which, when pressed a first time 700, may be configured to increase the treatment time by a predetermined amount of time 702. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time may be one minute, five minutes, or any amount of time including negative amounts of time. Each additional press 704 of the time button 112 may increase the treatment time by the same predetermined amount of time 706. In some embodiments, the control panel 100 may be configured to have a predetermined maximum treatment time, for example twenty minutes. In embodiments such as these, if the treatment time is set to the predetermined maximum treatment time and the time button 112 is pressed once more the treatment time may change to a predetermined minimum treatment time instead of adding another predetermined amount of time. If the light therapy device 12 is in the lead mode 70, the treatment time may be sent to other light therapy devices 12 in the system 10 that are configured to be in the follow mode 80. If the light therapy device 12 is in the neutral mode 90, the treatment time may not be sent to any other light therapy devices 12 in the system 10 and the light therapy device 12 may ignore other incoming instructions.

The plurality of input buttons 110 may also have a play/pause button 114 which, when pressed a first time 800, may be configured to cause at least a portion of the plurality of lights 16 to emit red light and/or near infrared light 802. In some embodiments, the play/pause button 114, when pressed a second time 804, may be configured to cause at least a portion of the plurality of lights 16 to not emit red light and/or near infrared light 806. The play/pause button 114 may start, pause, or continue the treatment time as set by the time button 112. This allows the user to pause the treatment session without having to restart from the beginning. Pressing the play/pause button 114 on light therapy devices 12 configured to be in the lead mode 70 may start the treatment for other light therapy devices 12 in the system 10 including those in follow mode 80. Generally, light therapy devices 12 in the lead mode 70 may send instructions to other light therapy devices 12 in the follow mode 80 to operate in the same way.

Furthermore, the plurality of input buttons 110 may also have a mode button 116. When the mode button 116 is pressed this may change the type of light emitted from at least a portion of the plurality of lights 16 during treatment. For instance, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality of lights 16 may be configured to automatically emit both red light and near infrared light when the treatment starts, but when the mode button 116 is pressed a first time 900 at least a portion of the plurality of lights 16 may be configured to emit red light and not emit near infrared light 902 when treatment starts. In some embodiments, when the mode button 116 is pressed a second time 904 at least a portion of the plurality of lights 16 may be configured to emit near infrared light and not emit red light 906 when treatment starts. Similarly, in other embodiments, a third press of the mode button 116 may configure at least a portion of the plurality of lights 16 to emit both red light and near infrared light. Although only one set of press button commands is specifically mentioned herein, it should be appreciated that any order or combination of button presses may be used. For example, in some embodiments, when the mode button 116 is pressed a first time 900 at least a portion of the plurality of lights 16 may be configured to emit both red light and near infrared light 902 when treatment starts. However, it should be appreciated that any light wavelength or combination of light wavelengths from 100 to 1,000 nanometers (nm), such as UV, blue, green, red, and near-infrared, may be implemented in the system 10 and thereby emitted or not emitted from the plurality of lights 16. Accordingly, any of the input buttons 110 may be arranged and configured to control the plurality of lights 16 to emit and/or not emit light included in any combination of light wavelengths from 100 to 1,000 nm.

With continued reference to FIG. 6 b , when the light therapy system 10 has not yet started treatment or is paused it may be difficult to determine if the treatment will consist of red light, near infrared light, or both. To make it easier to determine which lights are active, some embodiments feature a pair of indication lights 120 located on the control panel 100. One light of the pair of indication lights 120 may be labeled red and the other may be labeled near infrared or simply infrared. The pair of indication lights 120 may indicate to a user the typed of light that will be emitted when the treatment starts or continues by illuminating one or both indication lights 120. For example, in some embodiments, when the plurality of lights 16 is configured to emit only red light during treatment the indication light labeled red may be illuminated and the indication light labeled infrared may not be illuminated. Similarly, when the plurality of lights 16 is configured to emit only near infrared light during treatment the indication light labeled infrared may be illuminated and the indication light labeled red may not be illuminated. Moreover, when the plurality of lights 16 is configured to emit both red light and near infrared light during treatment the indication light labeled red may be illuminated and the indication light labeled infrared may also be illuminated.

Interpretation

None of the steps described herein is essential or indispensable. Any of the steps can be adjusted or modified. Other or additional steps can be used. Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, or example in this specification can be combined or used with or instead of any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart, or example. The embodiments and examples provided herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other.

The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting. The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the full scope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headings and subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic 1” may include embodiments that do not pertain to Topic 1 and embodiments described in other sections may apply to and be combined with embodiments described within the “Topic 1” section.

Some of the devices, systems, embodiments, and processes use computers. Each of the routines, processes, methods, and algorithms described in the preceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partially automated by, code modules executed by one or more computers, computer processors, or machines configured to execute computer instructions. The code modules may be stored on any type of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or tangible computer storage device, such as hard drives, solid state memory, flash memory, optical disc, and/or the like. The processes and algorithms may be implemented partially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The results of the disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently or otherwise, in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, e.g., volatile or non-volatile storage.

The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method, event, state, or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods, steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks, steps, or states relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that are appropriate. For example, described tasks or events may be performed in an order other than the order specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a single block or state. The example tasks or events may be performed in serial, in parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks or events may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than described. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present.

The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or” applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments can include A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy.

While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A light therapy system, comprising: a first light therapy device comprising a first housing, a first plurality of lights arranged and configured to emit red light or near-infrared light, and a first communication module communicatively coupled to the first plurality of lights and located within the first housing; and a second light therapy device comprising a second housing, a second plurality of lights arranged and configured to emit red light or near-infrared light, and a second communication module communicatively coupled to the second plurality of lights and located within the second housing, wherein the second light therapy device is configured to communicatively couple to the first light therapy device via the first communication module and the second communication module, wherein the first housing is configured to physically contact the second housing, wherein the first light therapy device and the second light therapy device are each configured to operate in one of a lead mode and a follow mode, and wherein, when the first light therapy device operates in the lead mode and the second light therapy device operates in the follow mode, the first communication module of the first light therapy device instructs the second communication module of the second light therapy device to perform operations, and when the second light therapy device operates in the lead mode and the first light therapy device operates in the follow mode, the second communication module of the second light therapy device instructs the first communication module of the first light therapy device to perform operations.
 2. The light therapy system of claim 1, further comprising: a first plurality of communication ports coupled to the first housing, the first plurality of communication ports comprising an input port and an output port; a second plurality of communication ports coupled to the second housing, the second plurality of communication ports comprising an input port and an output port; and a first communication cable having a first end and a second end located opposite the first end, the first end configured to couple to the output port of the first plurality of communication ports and the second end configured to couple to the input port of the second plurality of communication ports to thereby communicatively couple the first communication module of the first light therapy device and the second communication module of the second light therapy device such that the second light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the first light therapy device.
 3. The light therapy system of claim 2, further comprising: a third light therapy device comprising a third housing, a third plurality of lights arranged and configured to emit red light or near-infrared light, a third communication module communicatively coupled to the third plurality of lights and located within the third housing, and a third plurality of communication ports coupled to the third housing, the third plurality of communication ports comprising an input port and an output port, the third light therapy device configured to communicatively couple to the second light therapy device; and a fourth light therapy device comprising a fourth housing, a fourth plurality of lights arranged and configured to emit red light or near-infrared light, a fourth communication module communicatively coupled to the fourth plurality of lights and located within the fourth housing, and a fourth plurality of communication ports coupled to the fourth housing, the fourth plurality of communication ports comprising an input port and an output port, the fourth light therapy device configured to communicatively couple to the third light therapy device, wherein the third light therapy device and the fourth light therapy device are each configured to operate in the lead mode and the follow mode.
 4. The light therapy system of claim 3, further comprising: a second communication cable configured to couple to the output port of the second plurality of communication ports and the input port of the third plurality of communication ports, thereby communicatively coupling the second communication module of the second light therapy device and the third communication module of the third light therapy device such that the second light therapy device is configured to transmit instructions from the first light therapy device, and the third light therapy device is configured to receive and perform the instructions; and a third communication cable configured to couple to the output port of the third plurality of communication ports and the input port of the fourth plurality of communication ports, thereby communicatively coupling the third communication module of the third light therapy device and the fourth communication module of the fourth light therapy device such that the second light therapy device is configured to transmit instructions from the first light therapy device, the third light therapy device is configured to transmit the instructions from the second light therapy device, and the fourth light therapy device is configured to receive and perform the instructions.
 5. The light therapy system of claim 1, wherein each of the first light therapy device and the second light therapy device are configured to operate in one of the lead mode, the follow mode, and a neutral mode.
 6. The light therapy system of claim 5, wherein while the first light therapy device operates in the neutral mode, the first light therapy device performs operations independently of the second light therapy device, and when the second light therapy device operates in the neutral mode, the second light therapy device performs operations independently of the first light therapy device.
 7. The light therapy system of claim 1, further comprising a first control panel coupled to the first housing and communicatively coupled to the first plurality of lights, and a second control panel coupled to the second housing and communicatively coupled to the second plurality of lights.
 8. The light therapy system of claim 7, further comprising: a third light therapy device comprising a third housing, a third plurality of lights arranged and configured to emit red light or near-infrared light, and a third control panel coupled to the third housing and communicatively coupled to the third plurality of lights; and a fourth light therapy device comprising a fourth housing, a fourth plurality of lights arranged and configured to emit red light or near-infrared light, and a fourth control panel coupled to the fourth housing and communicatively coupled to the fourth plurality of lights, wherein the first light therapy device, the second light therapy device, the third light therapy device, and the fourth light therapy device are each configured to operate in the lead mode, the follow mode, and a neutral mode.
 9. The light therapy system of claim 8, wherein each of the first control panel, the second control panel, the third control panel, and the fourth control panel comprises a respective plurality of input buttons configured to control a treatment time, a type of light emitted, or a commencement and a pausing of light emission.
 10. The light therapy system of claim 8, wherein when the first light therapy device operates in the lead mode and each of the second light therapy device, third light therapy device, and fourth light therapy device operates in the follow mode, the first control panel is configured to control the first plurality of lights, the second plurality of lights, the third plurality of lights, and the fourth plurality of lights.
 11. The light therapy system of claim 8, wherein: when the first light therapy device operates in the neutral mode, the first control panel is configured to control the first plurality of lights, when the second light therapy device operates in the neutral mode, the second control panel is configured to control the second plurality of lights, when the third light therapy device operates in the neutral mode, the third control panel is configured to control the third plurality of lights, and when the fourth light therapy device operates in the neutral mode, the fourth control panel is configured to control the fourth plurality of lights.
 12. A light therapy system, comprising: a first light therapy device including: a first housing; a first plurality of lights coupled to the first housing, the first plurality of lights configured to emit red light or near-infrared light; a first communication module communicatively coupled to the first plurality of lights; and a second light therapy device including: a second housing; a second plurality of lights coupled to the second housing, the second plurality of lights configured to emit red light or near-infrared light; a second communication module communicatively coupled to the second plurality of lights, wherein the first light therapy device and the second light therapy device are each configured to operate in one of a lead mode, a follow mode, and a neutral mode, wherein when the first light therapy device operates in the lead mode, the first light therapy device instructs the second light therapy device to perform operations, when the first light therapy device operates in the follow mode, the second light therapy device instructs the first light therapy device to perform operations, and when the first light therapy device operates in the neutral mode, the first light therapy device ignores instructions from the second light therapy device, wherein the first light therapy device and the second light therapy device are configured to communicate via the first communication module and the second communication module.
 13. The light therapy system of claim 12, further comprising one or more communication ports coupled to a housing selected from the group consisting of the first housing, the second housing, and combinations thereof, the one or more communication ports configured to receive one or more communication cables, the one or more communication ports configured for input, output, and combinations thereof.
 14. The light therapy system of claim 12, further comprising: a first control panel coupled to the first housing and operatively coupled to the first plurality of lights; and a second control panel coupled to the second housing and operatively coupled to the second plurality of lights.
 15. The light therapy system of claim 14, wherein the first control panel comprises a first plurality of input buttons configured to control the first plurality of lights.
 16. The light therapy system of claim 15, wherein the first plurality of input buttons comprises a mode button configured to select emission of red light or emission of near-infrared light from the first plurality of lights.
 17. The light therapy system of claim 15, wherein the first plurality of input buttons comprises a time button configured to select a treatment time.
 18. The light therapy system of claim 15, wherein the first plurality of input buttons comprises a play/pause button configured to start and pause light emission from the first plurality of lights.
 19. A method of communicatively coupling a first light therapy device comprising a first plurality of lights configured to emit red light or near-infrared light, and a second light therapy device comprising a second plurality of lights configured to emit red light or near-infrared light, the method comprising: coupling a first end of a communication cable to an output port located on the first light therapy device, wherein the first light therapy device is coupled to a first control panel; and coupling a second end of the communication cable to an input port located on the second light therapy device, wherein the second end of the communication cable is located opposite the first end, and wherein the second light therapy device is coupled to a second control panel, wherein, when the first light therapy device and the second light therapy device are communicatively coupled via the communication cable the first light therapy device is configured to instruct the second light therapy device to perform operations such that the first plurality of lights and the second plurality of lights are controlled by the first control panel coupled to the first light therapy device.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein when the first light therapy device and the second light therapy device are communicatively coupled such that the first light therapy device is configured to instruct the second light therapy device to perform operations, the first light therapy device is configured to operate in a lead mode and the second light therapy device is configured to operate in a follow mode. 